Verizon will start rolling out Wi-Fi calling to some smartphones starting on Dec. 8. However, before you start dreaming about all the minutes you're going to save by using Wi-Fi instead of your normal cellular service, know that the list of initial, eligible devices is small.

In fact, it's just two smartphones: Samsung's Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge, though Verizon says other Android and iOS devices will get Wi-Fi calling early next year.

Wi-Fi Calling will arrive "as a software update in phases," Verizon said in a blog post. Once the update rolls out, you'll see a new Advanced Calling option in your Settings menu. Turn that on to officially enable Wi-Fi calling.

Related

"Once Advanced Calling is enabled, customers can activate Wi-Fi Calling. When a customer uses Advanced Calling on our 4G LTE network and travels outside of coverage, the call will seamlessly transfer to a known Wi-Fi hotspot when available," according to Verizon.

Last year, Verizon tipped a mid-2015 rollout for Wi-Fi calling. More recently, it obtained a waiver from the FCC to offer Wi-Fi calling even though it does not support an antiquated calling service for deaf and hard-of-hearing customers. That waiver is somewhat of a formality, though; the FCC has not gone after carriers that offer Wi-Fi calling without it.

David Murphy got his first real taste of technology journalism when he arrived at PC Magazine as an intern in 2005. A three-month gig turned to six months, six months turned to occasional freelance assignments, and he has since rejoined his tech-loving, mostly New York-based friends as one of PCMag.com's news contributors.
His rise to (self-described) fame in the world of tech journalism began during his stint as an associate editor at Maximum PC, where his love of cardboard-based PC construction and meetings put him in...
More »